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I smile, and the four of us walk downstairs.
“My grandfather had the playground put in when Ronin and I were young.” Gabriel glances back at us as he leads us further down the hallway. “You should see my house in Cali.”
“Is that where you live?” Erin asks him.
He nods. “I have nine houses scattered across the world. But the one in Northern California is my favorite.”
“Why?” Tennyson’s little voice asks.
Gabriel laughs at Tenny taking an interest. “Because it has the most toys.”
Tennyson’s eyes light up and I squeeze his hand gently. “Not those types of toys,” I say to him.
Gabriel stops walking to glance at me. “Oh, there’s tons of toys for the whole family. I have over twenty different types of drones. One of the tallest rock walls ever made. I have a glider. An indoor basketball court.” He shrugs. “All that’s missing really is a circus.”
Oh no. He’s mentioned one of Tennyson’s favorite things. “I love the circus,” Tennyson shouts.
We all laugh.
“Well, one day, we’ll have to go,” Gabriel says, and I nearly stumble over my feet.
I don’t know how I feel about him making plans with my son like a father would make with his own child. It feels surreal.
And I can tell Erin thinks so too, because her eyes meet mine and her eyebrows raise a little.
We make it to the indoor playground, and it’s bigger than any home playground I’ve ever seen.
“Sorry, it hasn’t been used in a while,” Gabriel says as he flicks on a light.
There’s a rope ladder, with a twisty slide that dumps right into a ball pen.
I’m kind of jealous they get to stay down here and play while I help prepare for the party.
At least that’s what I think I’ll be doing. Gabriel didn’t really say, but he didn’t suggest I stay down here.
I mean, he wanted me here early for a reason, and now I’m wondering what it could be.
“I just need your mother’s help with something really quick. Would you want to play down here until the party starts?” Gabriel asks Tennyson.
Tenny’s eyes brighten as he nods over and over again.
Swift and efficient, Gabriel goes through the motions of getting everything set up for Erin and Tennyson. He calls an attendant, who appears within seconds, asking for water bottles for the two of them.
The man nods, rushing from the playground.
“If you need anything push this button and he’ll return,” Gabriel says to Erin, handing her a remote control looking device. “Have fun.”
“Thank you so much,” she says back.
I help get Tennyson settled, and then walk over to Erin. “Are you ok here?”
“Of course. Go handle whatever you need to. We’ll be fine.”
“Ok, I’ll come and get you before the party starts.”
Erin smiles. “I can’t wait.”
Gabriel and I leave them in the indoor playroom, and I follow him through the hallway.
